|
November 14, 2008
Teens discuss army, politics
Students from Galilee visit Winnipeg before they join the IDF.
RHONDA SPIVAK
Eight high school students from Danciger School in Kiryat Shmona, Israel, came to visit Gray Academy in Winnipeg as part of the Jewish Federation of Winnipeg's Partnership 2000 program. Several of the Israeli teens will be going into the army next year.
Yoav Zenaty, 18, the president of Danciger's student council, wants to be a combat fighter in the paratroopers unit. "One of the reasons I want to go into a combat unit in the army is because my city of Kiryat Shmona [which borders Lebanon] has gotten bombed so many times since I've been born. I feel it's my duty to protect my country and my family. If I don't defend it, who will?" he asked.
"The kids in the kibbutzim nearby Kiryat Shmona are more patriotic than the kids in the city itself," said Zenaty. "Most of the Jews in Kiryat Shmona are of Moroccan and Persian descent. Most of the army-age kids I know will serve in the army in some way. Some don't want to do it. Most don't want to go into combat units. They prefer to be jobnikim [people who fill non-combat positions].... I'm really against those who try to evade army service. It's a mistake to do that. There are many ways to serve or volunteer in the army that will not involve combat, and everyone should contribute in some way."
Afik Biton, who is also 18, agrees with his friend, Zenaty, and also wants to serve in a combat unit. As he said, "It's not a simple decision, but we have to protect our country. We had friends in the last war [in Lebanon in 2006] who died to protect us. Liran Sa'adia was one of them."
Zenaty and Biton both mentioned that money raised in Winnipeg went, in memory of Sa'adia, towards building Beit Liran, which will serve as a house for soldiers without families in Israel.
Biton said he is concerned that "another war may break out" during their army service. As Zenaty said, "Hezbollah still exists and they are back to their prewar strength, with lots of weapons."
Yahav Viknin, 18, wants to be a madricat shirion, an instructor in the armored corps. She said she is looking forward to doing her service. "It's very exciting for me to be a soldier. I recently went to Poland with my grade and that trip strengthened my desire to stay in Israel. Before that trip, I wasn't sure that I wanted to stay in Israel.... But I didn't feel at home outside of Israel and now I know Israel is the only thing for me," she said.
Shira Sa'adia, another 18-year-old (not related to Liran Sa'adia), said she wants to be in the educational wing of the army. "I want to organize day trips and social activities for the soldiers," she said.
Biton said he is intent on trying to remain in Kiryat Shmona. "I loved growing up there and I want my children to grow up there," he said. Zenaty wasn't sure that he'd stay there: "I love the area but, if there won't be a good educational institute [to attend], I won't stay. I want to develop myself. Tel-Chai College [nearby] is considered OK, but it is not one of the best."
While in Winnipeg, the teenagers learned that the Danciger student council received the Janusz Korzjak Award for the best student council in Israel in 2008.
"We believe that students should have a voice in the school and that students can protest against things that the administration decides and that impact our rights. During the year, we were successful when, for example, we decreased the price of the school uniform by meeting with the shop owners and negotiating with them," said Zenaty.
The students also spoke about the elections for mayor of Kiryat Shmona, which occurred on Nov. 11. Biton's father, who runs all of the community centres in town, entered the race that included 10 candidates. When asked why there were so many candidates this year, Zenaty laughed, "Politicayim B'shekel [dimestore politicians]."
"There were even some candidates who ran for mayor last time in different areas and lost, so now they decided to try in Kiryat Shmona," said Biton.
Ruth Bar Maoz, an elementary school principal who lives in Kiryat Shmona, added, "I think there were so many candidates because there are so many problems in Kiryat Shmona and everyone thinks that he knows best how to fix them."
Rhonda Spivak is a freelance writer who divides her time between Winnipeg and Israel.
^TOP
|
